Prevalence of and potential influencing factors for alcohol dependence in Europe

• Alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and alcohol dependence (AD)in particular, are prevalent and associated with a large burdenof disability and mortality. The aim of this study wasto estimate prevalence of AD in the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland for the year 2010, and toinvestigate potential influencing factors. The 1-year prevalenceof AD in the EU was estimated at 3.4% among people18–64 years of age in Europe (women 1.7%, men 5.2%), resultingin close to 11 million affected people. Taking into accountall people of all ages, AD, abuse and harmful use resultedin an estimate of 23 million affected people. Prevalenceof AD varied widely between European countries, andwas significantly impacted by drinking cultures and socialnorms. Correlations with level of drinking and other drinking variables and with major known outcomes of heavy drinking,such as liver cirrhosis or injury, were moderate. Theseresults suggest a need to rethink the definition of AUDs.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Beroendelära (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Substance Abuse (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Alcohol

alcohol dependence

alcohol use disorders

heavy drinking

prevalence

liver cirrhosis

injury

Europe

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